3 Things Every Home Buyer Should Ask Their REALTOR®

Louisiana REALTORS® • January 25, 2024

When it comes to buying a home, you’ll have a lot of questions. How many bedrooms? How’s the commute? Are the schools good? They go on and on, and they should. Buying a house is a big commitment that requires a big decision. Luckily you have a REALTOR® to help you find the answers to these questions and make the best decision for you and your family. However, there are a few questions that may not be on your list but should be. Here are three questions every homebuyer should ask their REALTOR®.


What is the Sales History of the Home?

Understanding the price and value of a home is a key trait of any real estate professional. If a home has struggled to sell and remained on the market, you could make a nice deal. If home prices in that area have consistently increased over the years, you could be in store for a sound investment. 


Which Contingencies are Worth Getting? Which Aren’t?

Of course, we each have our tastes and preferences when it comes to style and other amenities. However, knowing when to push for something and when to let it go can save you a lot of time and money in the home-buying process. Your REALTOR®, with your best interest in mind, can guide you in deciding on what you should and shouldn’t demand from the seller.


What’s Going on in the Area?

Your REALTOR® should know all there is to know about your prospective new neighborhood. A big part of this is being aware of any upcoming HOA assessments. These assessments will influence your monthly expenses, so knowing what to expect can be a big help. It’s also important to know about any new amenities that are in the works like nearby retail, parks, pools, infrastructure, and more. Understanding what’s going on, and what is expected to occur in your new neck of the woods is very important.

HOME BUYER RESOURCES
By Louisiana REALTORS® March 13, 2026
Louisiana’s 2026 Regular Session opened this week with several developments that matter directly to REALTORS ®, property managers and housing providers, alongside some broader political shifts worth watching. HB 292: Security Deposit Return Timelines Rep. Delisha Boyd’s HB 292, which addresses procedures for returning residential security deposits, was deferred to next week. This provides additional time for stakeholders to engage with members on practical impacts for lease administration, move out inspections and documentation standards. We’ll continue working to ensure any changes to deposit law are clear, workable and do not expose housing providers to unreasonable liability. Land Use and Development: St. James Parish Decision The Louisiana Supreme Court’s recent St. James Parish decision significantly tightens the standards for overturning local land use decisions, reinforcing that zoning and permitting authority rests with parish and municipal governments as long as their decisions are not arbitrary or capricious. For real estate and development, that means more predictability if projects are aligned with adopted plans and ordinances, but also higher stakes in local elections, planning processes and parish-level negotiations. Governor’s State of the State In his State of the State address, Governor Jeff Landry reiterated his push to phase out the state income tax, expand the LA GATOR and MJ Foster scholarship and workforce programs, and replace vehicle inspection stickers with a QR code system. These programs frame a debate around long-term competitiveness, workforce readiness and household cost of living which are all key drivers of housing demand and migration patterns. Business & Market Trends The business community is focusing the session on insurance, workforce and energy. Commercial and property insurance costs remain a top concern for employers and property owners, and we are monitoring civil justice and insurance reform proposals that could affect market stability and availability. At the same time, Louisiana is seeing more than $100 billion in announced industrial and data center projects, which could reshape local markets, labor conditions and housing needs in multiple regions of the state. Please view the weekly bill tracking report at the link below provided by our lobbying team over at Harris, DeVille and Associates.
Louisiana real estate regulations are designed to protect consumers
By Louisiana REALTORS® March 11, 2026
Learn how Louisiana real estate regulations, disclosure laws, and licensing standards help protect homebuyers and create safer, more transparent transactions.
By Louisiana REALTORS® March 9, 2026
Nominations are open now through April 24, 2026, for the Louisiana REALTORS® 2025 REALTOR® of the Year & the 2025 Lawrence R. DeMarcay, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Both awards are aimed to showcase an individual who has volunteered their time in service to the real estate industry. Recipients of the awards will be recognized during the Spring Legislative Conference. (Registration coming soon!) Please see the below links with the selection criteria and consider submitting a nomination today. Contact Donna Teekel at (225) 224-0704 or dteekel@larealtors.org with any questions.
Show More